SSP Aslam’s presence is a security threat, DHA administrator told

Petition seeks relocation of officer.

KARACHI: A concerned group of parents and residents of Phase VIII have filed a petition, demanding that the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Administrator take note of the serious threat to security posed by the presence of SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan and the Darakhshan police station in the area.

On September 19, Crime Investigation Department (CID) SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan’s house was attacked. Although the officer escaped the attempt on his life, eight others died in the attack - including a schoolteacher and her son.

The parents and residents visited the DHA’s offices on October 19 with the petition, in which they have asked for SSP Aslam to be moved to an area where the fall-out of another such attack will not jeopardise the safety of thousands of children.

They stressed that the bomb blast that took place on September 19 at SSP Aslam’s residence is of profound importance. While they said they mourn with the families that have lost loved ones, they are also grateful for the lives that were spared by the difference of a few minutes.

The residents of Karachi emphasised that it is extremely irresponsible of the Sindh police and DHA to allow a high-profile target like SSP Aslam to be in such close proximity to schools where over 5,000 students attend schools, some as young as 3 to 4 years old.

The petitioners hope the DHA Administrator will take serious note of this as he has promised to do so.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2011.